Page 71 of Waiting Forever
“Your mother suggested a southeast unit with a view of Lake Eola.”
I nod. “Yes. I definitely want the view.”
He shuffles through the papers in his folder and stops at a door. “This condo is three bedrooms, three baths, with a den, and is just over 2,100 square feet. There’s another unit on the next floor up with the same view that has four bedrooms, three baths, a bonus room, and is around 3,400 square feet.”
Kensington gasps and clutches the water bottle to her chest. “That’s as big as a house.”
Again, our thoughts are aligned, though I’m more humored than surprised. To Alex, I say, “2,100 square feet is plenty for us. I believe the bigger unit is for my mom. She wants me to check it out for her.”
His brows tighten. He retrieves another flyer from his folder and hands it to me. “She requested I show you this one for her.”
I read the listing. The penthouse is in a different complex and over 4,000 square feet with a private staircase to a roof terrace. “Yes. This is more her style.”
I guess she wants me to consider a bigger condo for myself, as well, even though she’s investing in it, too. Investing might not be the correct word. As a sign-on bonus to the future owner, the company is fronting the money for half the price. As a co-owner of the Orlando branch, I make a nice salary. Nicer than I would if I weren’t the owner’s son. Plus, we get a generous discount since our security firm protects the building. But I don’t want to blow it all on a condo. I’d like to afford to travel and take nice vacations with Kensi in the near future.
“I’ll view the other unit because she suggested it, but we don’t need anything over three bedrooms, right?” I ask Kensington.
She shrugs. “It’s your place.”
“And yours,” I remind her, needing to push past this resistance.
She thinks we’re temporary because of all our obstacles. We’re not. There is no other woman I can imagine spending my life with. No matter how long it takes for us to get there, I want this to work. I’ll have to figure out a way around our families’ disapproval, but we have time. Plenty of time. For now, we should focus on us and nothing else. Our relationship is too new for all this heavy shit.
We follow Alex into the bright condo. Light filters in from floor-to-ceiling windows. Dark wood floors lead to a spacious great room. White leather furniture that’s modern but still looks comfortable decorates the joining dining and family room. A sectional faces a wall of glimmering mosaic tiles with a flat screen sunken into the center, so it hangs flush.
Between the couch and glass dining table is another smaller sitting area. A pool table would be perfect there.
Alex points out the kitchen’s high-end appliances, white stone counters, gray glossy cabinets, and a mosaic tile backsplash that matches the wall with the TV.
“It has a breakfast bar that seats three and opens to a dining area and incredible view,” he says.
I haven’t seen the bedrooms and already, I love it. Kensi’s wide eyes take in every inch of the condo, her mouth open in awe, which makes me like the condo even more.
She sets her water on the dining table and stops at the large sliding glass door that leads to a balcony. “Can we go out?” she asks Alex.
“Of course.” He hurries over to open the doors.
Her long burgundy hair lashes out behind her as the wind sends the tendrils flying. She walks to the glass railing and stares at the lake and parklike surroundings.
Alex explains which buildings are which—most of them I know as clients—and tells Kensi about the amazing fireworks show that happens over the lake on the Fourth of July.
From the doorway, I watch her changing expressions and absorb her gasps and “wows” as she listens.
She glances over her shoulder at me. The sun shines in her turquoise eyes that seem brighter than the lake below. “This is the lake you were talking about?”
I nod and walk over to her. Unable to help myself, I slide my arms around her waist from behind and press my body flush with hers. Her hair blows over my arms and chest. I kiss her head. “Do you like it?”
She relaxes in the way I’d hoped. Finally. “I love it,” she murmurs and leans back against me.
“I’ll give you two a minute to enjoy the view. Call for me when you’re ready to see the rest. I’ll be inside. Take your time.” Alex scurries into the condo.
“Do you think you would like a place like this?” I ask Kensi. “It’s very different from living in a house and farther from campus.”
She glances up at me. “Are you trying to talk me or yourself out of this?”
There’s my direct girl. I chuckle and kiss her head again. “Neither. I just want your honest opinion.”
“My honest opinion is this balcony and view are epic. I could stay out here forever. But”—she turns in my arms—“you haven’t seen the rooms or the other condos.”
